Auditions for Memphis at Birmingham Village Players

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Music Lyrics by David Bryan.  Book by Joe DiPietro

• Saturday, June 1, 2024: Dance and vocal workshop at 10:00 a.m.
• Sunday, June 9, 2024: Registration at 12:30 p.m., Auditions at 1:00 p.m.
• Monday, June 10, 2024: Registration at 6 p.m., Auditions at 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024: Callbacks (if needed) at 6:30 p.m.
• NOTE: You do not need to attend both audition dates.

Performance Dates: September 4 (preview), 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21 at 8:00 p.m. / Sept. 8, 15,  & 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Rehearsal Schedule TBD.
You must be available for all tech and dress rehearsals.

About the Auditions

The Auditions will be held at Village Players, 34660 Woodward Avenue, in downtown Birmingham.  Ample parking is provided on site.

Auditions will include a vocal cut from the show (music and practice time will be provided during the auditions), dance, (also taught during the auditions) and readings from the script.   Copies of audition materials (readings and songs) are listed at the bottom of this page. You can also call 248-644-2075 during box office hours (10 am – 4 pm, Tues.-Sat.) for more information.

Synopsis

Memphis tells the story of how African American music (called “race” music at the time) found its way into the musical mainstream of the 1950s, and became the foundation of Rock ‘n Roll.  Memphis is also a romance.  Huey Calhoun is a poor white boy with a love for the blues – what he calls “the music of my soul.”  He falls in love with Felicia Farrell, a fabulous singer, limited only by the racial attitudes of her time. Finally, Memphis is about the power of music to challenge societal norms, racism and resistance to change.  The music is thrilling and the story uplifting.  We hope you will want to be part of this joyous theatrical experience.  

Meet the Production Team

• Director: Mark Carley (248-205-8955)
• Asst. Director & Asst. Choreographer: Roberta Campion (248-514-1392 )
• Music Director: Curtis Rowe (248-747-2419 )
• Choreographer: Diamond Carswell (313-784-4283 )
• Producers: Michael Gravame (248-506-0885 ) and Jillian Frederick (248-568-1547)

Character Descriptions

• Ages are approximate and refer to the character, not the actor.
• Please familiarize yourself with the song(s) for the character(s) for which you will be auditioning (see cuts at the bottom of this page).
• You can purchase the whole show ($12) or view most of the songs for free on YouTube.  This clip features show highlights.  https://youtu.be/VwgT6oQYA20
• You can also view the entire show on Broadway HD.

Principal Roles

• Huey: White, Male, 30ish.  Down on his luck.  In love with the Black music of the early 1950s.  Poor, but ambitious. Audition Songs – The Music of My Soul; Memphis Lives in Me. Vocal Range: C3-B4

• Felicia: Black, Female, 30ish.  Nightclub singer with a fabulous voice.  Held back only by the limited opportunities of her environment. Audition Songs – Colored Woman; Someday. Vocal Range: G3-A5

• Delray: Black Male.  40ish.  Owns a nightclub that plays the Black music of the time.  Also Felicia’s brother.  Audition Song – Underground. Vocal Range: Bb2-Bb4

• Bobby: Black Male, 30ish. Works at the radio station and hangs out at Delray’s at night. Audition Song – Big Love. Vocal Range: G3-C5

• Gator: Black Male. 20-40.  Hangs out at Delray’s.  Mute due to a childhood trauma, but regains his voice in a crisis.  High tenor.    Audition Song – Say a Prayer.  Vocal Range: F#3-A4

• Gladys: White female.  50-60.    Huey’s mother.  Has traditional views on race, but adapts to change.   Audition Song – Change Don’t Come Easy. Vocal Range: B3-A5

• Simmons: White Male, 50-60.  Owner of radio station. Light singing.  Audition Song That’s Not Possible.

• Wailin’ Joe: Black male.  30ish.  Featured singer. Think Little Richard. Audition Song: Scratch My Itch.    Will play other small roles and be part of the ensemble.  Vocal Range: Eb3-Gb5.

• Buck Wiley: White male.  50ish.  DJ at Simmons’ radio station.  Light singing. Audition Song: That’s Not Possible. Will play other small roles.

• Trio: Black Males (3) – Think Temptations or Miracles.  Audition Song – Everybody Wants to be Black on Saturday Night,  Will play other small roles and be part of the ensemble.  

Ensemble and other speaking parts (approximately 12 in total, including): 

• Audition songs: Underground, Radio chorus, Steal My Rock ‘ Roll chorus (songs are linked below).
• White teenagers who will sing and dance (girls and boys)
• Black clubgoers/backup singers/dancers (men and women) including Ethel (Bobby’s girlfriend)
• Perry Como (yes, that Perry Como) – cameo singing role
• Reverend Hobson (pastor of the local Black church)
• Mr. Collins (department store owner),  Clara (dept. store clerk), Frank Dryer (grocery store owner) – White
• Grant (record executive); Holton (TV network executive) – White

Audition Cuts

Script Reading

• Cut #1: Huey, Delray, Felicia
• Cut #2: Simmons, Bobby, Huey, Gator
• Cut #3: Huey, Felicia
• Cut #4: Delray, Bobby, Huey, Gator, Felicia
• Cut #5: Felicia, Huey
• Cut #6: Simmons, Huey, Delray, Bobby, Gladys

Musical Cuts

• Cut #1: Delray & Ensemble – Underground
• Cut #2: Huey – Music of My Soul
• Cut #3: Huey – Memphis Lives in Me
• Cut #4: Wailing Joe – Scratch My Itch
• Cut #5: Vocal Trio – Everybody Wants to Be Black
• Cut #6: Simmons, Wiley, Teenagers – That’s Not Possible
• Cut #7: Felicia – Colored Woman
• Cut #8: Felicia – Someday
• Cut #9: Ensemble Teenagers – Radio
• Cut #10: Gator – Say a Prayer
• Cut #11: Bobby – Big Love
• Cut #12: Gladys (Mama) – Change Don’t Come Easy
• Cut #13: Ensemble (Adults) – Steal Your Rock n Roll

** Click here for the Audition Registration Form **

Please complete the registration form prior to your audition.
Print the completed form and bring it with you on audition day.

NOTE: As of March 15, 2023, we will no longer require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, although we strongly recommend it. For more information about our Contagious Disease Policy please click here.